My favorite morning yoga routine

Welcome back, hope you all had a good start to the year. I just got off a call with my mom, and we spoke about how little we have done so far this year. With the cool weather outside and non-existent dinner invitations, we both agreed we have a lot more time to catch up with things, and with ourselves.

I actually love the idea of spending January a bit more quietly, allowing more time for meditation and my home practice, in comparison with a crowded gym or yoga studio. Of course, it can be energizing to team up with all those folks and see their new year resolutions in action. But yes, whether we like it or not - it will be crowded.

January really is an excellent time to build or come back to the foundation of your practice. And where is not a better place to begin, than in the calm space of your own home? Breathe in, tune in, and find a few stretches to create more space for good things to come.

I often do a longer practice in the afternoon or evening. That being said, I really find that a few morning stretching and breathing exercises do wonders for the day ahead.

Today I want to share my favorite morning yoga routine with you all. I do try to fit it in almost every day. My alarm clock rings, I get out of bed and into the bathroom to put some water on my face. I then prepare a drink to rehydrate, that is sometimes as simple as filtered water, hot water with lemon or some herbal tea.

Roll out your mat yogis...

Supta Padangusthasana l - Reclined Hand to big toe pose l

1. Lie down on your yoga mat, back down2. Stretch your arms overhead and make yourself as tall as possible3. Relax your body and reach for your strap (belt, towel or other)4. Bend your right knee and tie the strap around the ball of your right foot5. Inhale and stretch your right leg up towards the ceiling6. Flex both feet to encourage strong legs7. Keep a microbend in the right knee8. Use your strap to support the foot, but use your abdomen to keep both your legs strong9. Keep breathing slowly, stay here for up to a minute

Supta Padangusthasana ll - Reclined Hand to big toe pose ll

1. Exhale and slowly begin to move your right foot out to the right, and if eventually down towards the floor2. Stay with both feet flexed3. Place the left hand on your left thigh to encourage the left hip to stay down4. Use the muscles of your core to move slowly5. Rest the back of your head and both shoulders on the floor6. Keep your neck long and relax the face7. Stay here for up to a minute

Supta Padangusthasana lll - Reclined Hand to big toe pose lll

1. Slowly bring your foot back up to point towards the ceiling2. Change the strap to your left hand and press your right thumb into your hip crease to push the hip away from you3. Slowly start to move your right foot over to the left, keeping the leg as straight as you can and adjusting the length of the strap as needed4. Keep your hips grounded5. Breathe and extend out through the legs6. Take a few deep breaths here and stay up to a minute7. Slowly bring your foot back up over the hips and bend the knee8. Re-extend your leg down on your mat

<Repeat the sequence on the left side>

Adho Mukha Svanasana - Downward dog

1. Lying down on the floor, bend your knees into your chest and cross your ankles2. Gently roll forward and back, placing your hands in front of your feet to come on to your hands and knees3. With your hands slightly in front of your shoulders, slowly lift your knees off the floor4. Send your hips up and back until you arrive in an upside down V-shape5. Press down through the hands to lift your forearms away from the floor and to lengthen your spine6. Feel free to keep a microbend in your knees here7. Look between your feet and take 3 deep breaths

Downward dog with gentle twists

1. Separate your feet a little wider apart than your usual downward dog2. Inhale and shift your weight into your left hand, exhale bring your right hand to your left shin or ankle3. Take a few breaths here4. If it feels okay for your neck, look under your left armpit5. Take a few more slow breaths, inhale release the twist and bring your right hand down

<Repeat on the left side>

Trikonasana - Triangle pose

1. Step your right foot forward, and line up your feet heel to heel2. Ground down through your feet, place your right hand on your right shin or on the floor next to your front foot. 3. Inhale, extend the left arm up towards the ceiling as you open the chest out to the side4. Find length through both sides of your waist5. Firm your thighs and keep your front knee slightly bent to protect the knee6. Inhale and extend from your centre and out, energy flowing through the body7. Exhale and bring both hands down to the floor and step back to downward dog

Disclaimer: The advice given on this blog is based on my personal and learned experiences as a yoga student and teacher. I am not a doctor. If you have any questions or concerns about any advice given on this blog, make sure to consult your doctor.